Interview: Kamalesh Sharma, Secretary General, Commonwealth

Sharma represents 54 countries across the world, including a number from Africa. The Commonwealth recently observed elections in Zambia and has a team in place for this weekend’s elections in Cameroon. However, there are some criticisms over the Commonwealth’s approach to holding countries accountable for their human rights record.

A gay Cameroonian man who faces expulsion from the UK will be allowed out on bail from a detention centre after Air France refused to transport him. A statement from the UK Border Agency seen by RFI on Monday says asylum seeker Joseph Kaute was “disruptive” during attempts to deport him. He will receive a temporary reprieve from being returned to Cameroon.

After almost 13 years in voluntary exile, Louis Tobie Mbida, leader of the Cameroonian Party of Democrats (CPD), announced he will return to Yaoundé on 2 September and is planning to run in the presidential elections in 2011.